East Asia Tonight - Thu 17 Jul 2025

21 hours ago

48:28 Min
Spotlight on East Asia, a region steeped in history and now helping to write the future of our world. We'll break down the key stories and explain why they matter.
East Asia Tonight
About the show:
'East Asia Tonight' shines a spotlight on a region steeped in history and now helping to write the future of our world. Greater China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula have economic and political might, and are major drivers of daily news and business. We'll break down the key stories and explain why they matter.

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K-pop band 1Verse debuts with 2 North Korean defector members

CNA

14 hours ago

K-pop band 1Verse debuts with 2 North Korean defector members

With two out of five of its members North Korean defectors, the K-pop group 1Verse (pronounced universe) is breaking new ground as it debuts its single album on Friday (Jul 18). The band represents an unusual convergence of backgrounds: North Korea-born rapper Hyuk and singer Seok join Nathan from Arkansas, Kenny from Los Angeles and Aito from Japan. While not the first K-pop act to include North Korean defectors – Be Boys' Hak Seong debuted earlier this year – the diversity of the group's members add a rare dimension to the genre's growing global diversity. The group debuts Friday with their single album The 1st Verse under Seoul-based label Singing Beetle. Their title track Shattered features lyrics co-written by Hyuk and Kenny. FROM THE FOOTBALL FIELD TO A FACTORY TO STARDOM 'With members from different countries all coming together as 1Verse, I just thought 'we can do this regardless of background' going forward,' said Aito, the group's youngest member from Chiba, Japan. Hyuk, who lived in North Korea's North Hamgyong Province until age 12, defected to the South in 2013. His journey to K-pop stardom began while working in a factory in South Korea, where a chance encounter with the CEO of a music label eventually led to weekend rap lessons in Seoul. 'I went to university but then things went bad. It was when COVID was pretty severe, and a bad incident happened, so I had no choice but to work at a factory,' he said. Initially sceptical, Hyuk thought the invitation to become a pop star might be a scam. He recalled thinking: 'I really have nothing right now, even if you rob me, not even dust would come out." After a year of meetings where the music executive consistently bought him meals and encouraged his training, Hyuk joined the agency in late 2021. Seok's path was similarly unconventional. A former football player who started playing at eight years old in North Korea, he defected in 2019. He declined to provide additional details, citing safety concerns. After arriving in South Korea, he briefly played for a semi-professional team before pursuing physical education studies. During weekend soccer games he was approached about an idol training programme. 'I was starting music for the first time, right? So I started with the mindset that if it doesn't work out, I can just stop and try something else,' Seok said. LIMITED EXPOSURE TO K-POP GROWING UP Both members' experiences reflect harsh realities they left behind. Hyuk described spending eight to 10 hours daily collecting firewood as a child just to survive. 'Where I lived, we had to collect firewood just to cook rice and survive day by day – it was essential,' he recalled. Hyuk didn't have much access to music growing up. 'Since I lived struggling every day, I lived so busily that I wonder if I even had time to listen to music – I didn't have that luxury,' he said. Seok had some exposure to K-pop in North Korea, listening occasionally to f(x)'s LA chA TA and Super Junior songs despite it being illegal in North Korea to listen to South Korean music. 'I probably heard K-pop back in elementary school. But I couldn't listen often since it was illegal,' he said. GAINING INTERNATIONAL TRACTION Experts and defectors say K-pop and other South Korean pop culture products have emerged as a challenge to North Korea's leadership as they steadily gained popularity among the public. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has intensified campaigns since the pandemic to eliminate South Korean cultural influence. Nathan, from Arkansas, first encountered K-pop through his Texas-based cousins who were longtime fans. 'I would kind of just pretend to be a hater, like urgh, K-pop. And then I just so happened to come across Exo's Growl music video on YouTube,' he recalled. The group's diverse backgrounds are reflected in their training, which includes courses on global citizenship. 'We want to be inclusive of everyone's history, everyone's current situations back home,' Kenny explained. Seok expressed excitement about connecting with international fans, particularly in America. 'Since I came from North Korea, it's hard to see foreigners there. So I really wanted to see people from other countries,' he said. The group has already gained traction online. Seok described filming emotional video diaries during difficult early training days, which fans responded to with supportive messages. 'I filmed that diary video with somewhat emotional, slightly teary feelings. And I uploaded it to TikTok or YouTube, and fans sent me comforting letters," he said. 'As soon as I saw the first line, tears came out and I was really touched.' Hyuk acknowledged the attention their North Korean background generates while emphasising the group's collective identity. 'I'm very grateful that people are paying attention to us,' he said. 'I think it's okay as long as it doesn't lean too much to one side ... it's not just me but all our members are here too, it's a journey we're creating together.'

Franck Muller and #FR2 unveil latest Vanguard Beach Limited Edition in summer hues

CNA

14 hours ago

Franck Muller and #FR2 unveil latest Vanguard Beach Limited Edition in summer hues

Back in 2023, Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller teamed up with provocative Tokyo streetwear label #FR2 for a rather unexpected collab. The result was the #Fr2nck Muller Vanguard watch, a bold timepiece featuring #FR2's signature cheeky rabbits motif, rendered in a sleek, monochromatic colourway. And now, the duo have reunited for a second collaboration. In the spirit of summer, the new #Fr2nck Muller Vanguard Beach Limited Edition ditches the original monochromatic colour scheme for brighter hues, evoking the carefree vibe of sun-soaked days and sea breezes. The palette is also a throwback to the Franck Muller Vanguard Beach collection which was also released in 2023. The #Fr2nck Muller Vanguard Beach Limited Edition comes in three colourways – Heatwave Red, Surf Blue and Tropical Green, each available in just 300 pieces. Creating these vibrant colours was no small feat – glass is first melted at 1,500 degrees Celsius and drawn into extremely fine threads, before being cooled and formed into sheets at 700 degrees Celsius. The sheets are then dipped in special colour baths and compressed into fibreglass composite blocks. The iconic #FR2 rabbits are once again the star of the show, this time engaged in various summer activities – lying under a beach umbrella, relaxing amongst lush vegetation or surfing. As a playful detail, the date window is positioned at 2 o'clock, a clever nod to the '2' in #FR2 and a visual stand-in for the blazing summer sun. The rabbit motif and skeletonised obelisk hands are applied with Super-Luminova to give the dial a luminous glow in the dark at night. The watch is fitted with a nylon strap lined with leather, printed with various details that nod to classic Japanese streetwear aesthetics. Powering the watch is Franck Muller's self-winding MVT 2536-SCDT2H movement.

CNA

21 hours ago